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1 



THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE POLITICAL DISSENSIOI^ 
/iV THE UNITED STATES. 



SERMON, 



PREACHED IN DRACUTT, MAY 11, 1811, 



IT BEING THE 



ANNUAL FAST. 
y 



BY SOLOMON 'AIKEN, A. M. 

4>ASTOR OF THE FIRST CkuRCH IN DRACUTT, 



-^ nA\*ERHILL, (Mass) 

jtjf^ r HINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM B- AI.LEK. 
^^^ 1811. 



# 



NUMBERS 33, 55. 

BUT IF YE "WILL NOT DRIVE OUT THE INHABITANTS OF THE 
LAND FROM BtFORE YOU, THEN IT SHALL COME TO PASS, 
THAT THOSE THAT YE LET REMAIN OF .THEM, SHALL BE 
PRICKS IN YOUR EYES, AND THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, AND 
SHALL VEX YOU IN THE LAND WHEREIN YE DWELL. 



M' 



OSES had now by the divine command, brought 
the chosen People of God, to the borders of the prom- 
ised land. He not being permitted to enter it with 
them, and about to be removed from them, at the di- 
vine direction- gives them many important inftructions 
respecting their future conduct. Among these, he 
gives it in charge, that they should utterly destroy, and 
drive out the ancient and heathen inhabitants, and not 
suffer a vestage of their idolatry to remain. And to 
enforce this injunction, he forewarns them of the evil 
of its neglect, in the text just cited. '• But if you will 
not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before 
you ; then shall it come to pass that those which ye 
let remain of them, shall be pricks in your eyes and 
thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land 
wherein ye dwell." The expr(^sions " Pricks in your 
eyes and thorns in your sides" are figurative, and mean, 
that the ancient people of the land remaining in it, 
should be a great curse and affliction to them, by 
deceiving and blinding their eyes, or minds, by which 
they should be led into errors, and then they 
would be inftruments in punishing them ; and prove 
as thorns and goads in their sides. The last clause of 
the verse is exegetical of this, *' And shall vex you in 
the land wherein you dwell. This was, but two well 
verified, as the history of that nation evinces. They 
were remiss in the duty enjoined on them, and neglect- 
ful of their own interest, and happiness. " They did 
net deftroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord 
commanded them. But were mingled among the 
heathen and learned their works. They served their 



Idols which was a snare unto them — Therefore the 
•-'■wiath of the Lord was kindled against his people — and 
he gave them into the hands of the heathen, and they 
that hared them ruled over them. 

The greatest afilicticns which the children of Israel 
experienced, arose from their mingling with, and suf- 
fering persons of different religious and political fenti- 
ments, to remain in their land. This led them to idol- 
atry ; in confequence of which they fuffered many 
great and fevere national calamities, and finally to 
Monarchy, and the lofs of their civil Liberty. The 
Jewifh religion was altogether different from that of 
the heathen, and fo was their poliiics, or mode of civil 
govern rftent. The Jewish government was at this time 
a Theocracy. God was their Legillator j and com- 
manded the people to choofe their Rulers, or Judges. 
This is the greateft feature of a Republican govern- 
ment. By the people's mingling with monarchifts 
and thofe who were prejudiced in favour of kingly 
governments, as the Canaanites were,^they experienc- 
ed the bitterefl confequences. They were truly pricks 
in their eyes. They deceived the Ifraelitcs. They led 
them on to worfhip their falfe gods ; and then were 
inftruments of their punifhment ; and proved thorns 
in their fides. Hence their corruption of morals, their 
frequent oppreffions by the Canaanites ; their divifions 
among themfelves, and wars and fightings. And were 
led to relinquilh their free government for a kingly 
one ; like the Nations around them. 

Various are the infliances in which the hiftory of 
the Jewilh nation, with ours, will admirably compare. 
But we Ihall confine ourfclves to that circumftance in 
their hifiiory, which laid a foundation for the corrup- 
tion of their morals, the lofs of their liberty, and for 
national calamities. For a methodical performance 
of this wc fhall 

L Speak of the rife and progrcfs of the poHtical 
diffenfion in our land. 

II. Confider the evils refulting therefrom, as mat- 
ter of lamentation. 



I. Speak of the rife and progrefs of the polidcal 
diffenfion in our land. ^ 

As in the courfe of divine Providence, there were 
of the ancient inhabitants of Canaan left in the land ; 
fo thzt/ame fpirit which was in love with Monarchy, 
and oppofed to our political feperation from Britain, 
was fuffered to remain, as well as perfons vi^ho fled 
from us, and joined our enemies, were after the con- 
teft permitted to return, and dwell among us ; \\ith all 
the rights and priviliges of Citizens.* And by their 
arts and addrefs, being joined by the Monarchifts in 
heart, rule over fome fed:ions of the union, and have 
for a time ruled over the whole, and directed our na- 
tional concerns. 

After the termination of the war, which feparated 
us from our political connexion with England ; under 
the old confederation, party fpirit was fcarcely known 
in our land ; as thofe circumftances had not occurred, 
calculated to bring to public view, different political 
fentiments. At this time it was found by experience, 
that the then exillingj Confederation between the 
States, was, for various reafons inadequate to fe- 
cure our national happinefs. Therefore the contem- 
plations of our Fathers and politicians, were turned 

• These were then called Tories ; as ihe party appellations, in the time 
of our contest \\\*Ai Eiii^land were Whig- and lory. 

The Tories returning with the intrigue, assistance and deceptions of 
older states ;have since as policy micfht dictate, assumed varioiis iippella- 
tions.such as in their view should accord with the feelings of the People, 
and applied such epithets to thu Whigs or Republicans as tluy imagined 
would bring them into contempt. Hence they early assumed the appella- 
tion of Federalists to themselves, which is discriptive of all who wished for 
tlie continu.ition oftlie Coi.federacy, or political union of the states. — When 
tliis was not sufficiently popular by their tarnishing the appellation, they en- 
deavoured to hide the spot by covering it with ti^e venerable name of V/ash- 
ingto.i and therefore assumed the appelh.tian of" Washington Federalist." 
But when they found that liepubhcanism could not be brought into disre- 
pute they condescended to apply to themselves the appellation of " Ftd- 
erai Republicans." But finding that tiie term Fedeu a l however dear to 
the people in its original meaning, co'ild not cover iheir designs ; in some 
cf their late electioneering papers, they huve condescended still more, ar.d ' 
styled iheir nomination "The Hepiiblican Nom'nation." But though Ihey 
utay change their names as often as the Chamelion does his colours, they are 
Tories still. And by their multi])lied arts, and hijih professions of Patrict- 
ism they have deceived tliousaud of our well meaning fcilo^v citizens, so is 
to obtain their support. 



virxi^vuv 



upon the neccflity of an energetic national government, 
idPlccurity at home, and refpe6l abroad. And al- 
though they were throuL;h the conteft, agreed in the 
article ot reparation from England, they were fo un- 
happy as to differ in their fentiments, refpecling the 
form of the national government, about to be eftab- 
iifhed. Accordingly, wlien the convention met, for 
the formation of our prefcnt national Conftitution, 
there were difl'erent forms propofed. 

Mr. Alexander Hamilton, a delegate from New- 
York, propofed one, the prominent features of which 
were ; That the chief Executive fiiould be chofen for 
life ; the Senate alfo for life, the popular branch, or 
Houfe of Reprefentatives, fliould be chofen periodical- 
ly ; and that the Governors of the States fhould be ap-. 
pointed by, and dependent on, the Chief Executive of 
the nation, for the tenure of their office. And with 
his ufual energy and pathos, advocated this mode of 
government. However, there were a majority of Re- 
publicans in the Convention, who had formed a Theo- 
ry of a Reprefentative and eleclive form of Govern- 
ment ; and could not concede to the adoption of any 
other, v/ithout an experiment of the operation of fuch 
an one. Accordingly fuch a form of Government as 
our prefent Conftitution, without the amendments, was 
with condefcenfion, on both fides to each other, agreed 
on, to be prefented to the States for their adopuon. 

The Republicans feeing great facilities in it, to 
bring it into a monarchical form, and to wreft the lib- 
erties of the people from them, propofed certain a- 
niendments, guarding againil this evil. The amend- 
ments in general v/ere, to fecure the people in the free 
exercife of Religion, the freedom of the Prefs, and of 
fpeech, to fecure the right of bearing arms, and to pre- 
vent unreafonable fearches. The Tories or leading 
Federalifts, were difpofed to adopt the Conftiiuticn 
without the amendments ; the Republicans, with en- 
ergy, urged the amendments to be incorporated in the 
Conftitution, as conftitucnt parts thereof j which, ac- 
cordingly was done. 



i 



This difpute gave rife to the party appellations^f 
federcliji and anti-federahjt. And, as thofe amendments 
were adopted ; that Conititution now exifts, which the 
Republicans wifhed for, and to which the federalifts, 
falfely fo called, were oppofed, as they contended for 
it, without the ame'iidments. 

Party fpirit being known, at this time no other- 
wife than that of Whig and Tory, except what arofe 
in the debate refpeding the adoption of the Conflitu- 
tion ; and the people not diftrufting characters which, 
had been adive in the revolution of their country ; 
a majority of Federalifts, was found in the Senate of 
the firft Congrefs. And immediately, they exerted 
themlelves to bring the adminiftration of our govern- 
ment, as near a monarchical form as poffible ; not only 
in their refolution, that it was expedient to addrefs the 
Prefident, with the title of, " His Highnefs, the Prefi- 
dent of the United States, and Protestor of their Lib- 
erties ;" and this out of refpecl, and conformity to 
European powers, as expreifed in the preamble of the 
Refolve ; but alfo, as their approbation muft be obtain- 
ed, for the appointment of federal Judges, fuch men 
obtained it, as did determine upon the fuability of the 
States ; or that they were liable to a legal proccfs be- 
fore a federal Court. Accordingly, this Common- 
Vi'ealth, had an action brought againil it fuft ; as it was 
conceived to be, at that time, as much or more federal 
than any other ftate in the Union ; and therefore, they 
were the more likely to fucceed in the profccution, as 
there would of courfe, be the Icfs oppofition, and the 
more advocates for the procefs. Governor Hancock 
was then in ofiiceas fuch, in this Commonwealth ; who 
convoked the General Court to an extra fellion, on the 
occafion. He with the General Court, viewed it as a 
bold ftroke for the annihilation of the ftate fovercipcn- 
ties, and giving exiftence in a meafure, to that monar- 
chical form of Government propofed to the Conven- 
tion, by Mr. Hamilton. With thefe juft conceptions 
of the Governor, and General Court of this Common- 
wealth, the proccfs was neceftitated to ccafe where it 



siMk. 



8 

0JJK39 

Tliofe exertions, In the federaliftb', to bring the 
adminiftration of our national Government into a mo- 
narchicgj form, naturally excited the exertions of the 
Republicans in oppoiition. 

The march of the Federalifts, however, under the 
adminiftration of Wafhington,was flow and cautious, 
having the fame objeft in view. But when that illuftri- 
ous character left the Prcfidency, it was a joyful day to 
the leading Federalifts. A Prcfident ot their own choof- 
ing took the chair of ftate. They had a majority in 
both houfes of Congrcfs. Thus every obftacb to their 
accelerated march, fecms to have been removed. From 
this time there appears to have been no impediment in 
their career. As France and England were now at 
war, they infringed on neutral rights. Fyery injury 
from France was exaggerated, every aggreftion from 
England palliated, or winked at in Congrefs, ahd the 
federal papers through the Union. All exertions were 
made to alienate the afi'eclions of cur fellow citizens 
from France. Thofe among ourfelves, v/ho were dif- 
pofed to purfue the equitable line, with impartiality, 
were denominated Frenchmen ; fo were the minority 
in Congrefs. I am not dilpofed to comment upon the 
cmbafi)' of Pinkney, Marflial and Gerry, and the refult 
with the fignature of X Y Z. At this time the Repub- 
licans were, in the eftimation of the Federalifts, French- 
men, and enemies to their Country. And Mr. Jeffer- 
fon they confidered as being at the head of them, who, 
they faid, held a fecret corfefpondence with the Jaco- 
bins in France. Marihal and Pinkney are now return- 
ed from their fruitlefs embafly. Gerry ftill remains in 
France. 

The Prefidcnt in his communications to Congrefs, 
fuggefts his determination, to feni no more ambafla- 
dors to France, until he fliould i.ave aiTurance from 
the ruling power there, that they iliuuld be received 
and treated in character. Thus far, the door of nego- 
tiation was clofed. Now where let. ■- rs of rcprif .1 ilfu- 
ed again ft France, Captain Truxton., >. mmandiiig one 
of our frigates, captured an armed veilel of theirs, 



9 

with (laughter. And now were exertions made to d^ 
fend ourfelves againft a French invafion, ahhougU the 
French had enough to do in Europe, being at war with 
England and Auilria, with their auxiliries. A prc- 
vifional army is railed, flationed in the interior of the 
country. An alien bill is enacted by Congrefs, giving 
the Prelident power to prevent the landing of any for- 
eigners whom he might judge dangerous to the United 
States, and alfo to order the tranfportation oijuch per- 
fons, or otherwife deal wi. h them, making the will of 
the Prefident to polTefs the power of law. With this 
alfo came the fedition bill, prohibiting ail perfons from 
writingjUttering or publifliing any thing which fliould 
have a tendency to bring the Frefident, or either Houfe 
of Congrefs, into diirepute, in the minds of the citizens 
of the U. States. Thus were our fellow citizens pro- 
hibited from writing, uttering or publilhing the truth, 
however important to be known, if it had this tenden- 
cy. And this, notwithRanding any provifion in the 
bill, that the truth might be brought in evidence. As 
Judge Iredal, one of the judges of the United States, 
on the trial of an alledged defamation of the Prefident, 
gave in charge to the jury, that " The greater the truth, 
the sjreater the libel." Then was " the rei«;n of terror." 
Jails, fines and imprifonment awaited thofe who argu- 
ed, and fpoke their fentiments upon public niealures, 
if it had a tendency to bring the Frefident, or either 
houfe of Congrefs, into difrcpute. Congrefs were now 
ready, though with a very fmall majority, in various 
inftances to augment the powers of tiie Prefident, by 
refolving legiflative powers out of their own hands, 
into his, to be ufed at his difcretion;; 

At this time every exertion was ufed by the lead- 
ing Federalifls, to difgrace a Republican Governm.enc, 
to make it appear in the view of the people, " Ugly as 
a Witch or Wizard." It wasfboken of with contempt, 
as deftitute of energy, generating contentions and fac- 
tions. Advantage was taken of the confufion which 
was experienced in France, when they ftvled thcmfelvcs 
B 



10 

<>& Republic, to bring Rcpublicanlfni into difrcputc, m 
the minds of the citizens of the U. S. They faidthat 
a Repubhcan Goveirnment was impraclicable ; that it 
coulci exill only in theory, that no fuch Government 
€ver long flood and never could ftand. 

Our Laws and fifcal operations are now brought 
into conformity to European and monarchical powers. 
We experienced a flamp a(^, a land and houle tax, a 
tax on carriages, stills, sugar refineries, kc. Thofe 
in, and out of Congrefs, who were oppofed to thefe 
meafures, were ftigmatifed as enemies to their Country, 
as joining with France in a fyftem to demoralize the 
world ; that they were engaged in the Illuminati bufi- 
nefs ; which they faid, was to demolifh all law, and or- 
der in fociety ; to difregard the laws of God and Man, 
to break up fecial order in families ; and for man to 
range like the brutal heard vv'ithout connubial reftraint. 
Volumes were written in this country, upon the fub- 
je6l, by the help of Robinfon and Barruel, who wrote 
in England ; and our pulpits refounded with the awful 
danger. And what augmented the danger exceeding- 
ly was, Mr. Jcfferfon was conlidered a fair candidate 
for the Prefidency ; as the fourth Prefidential Election 
Was approaching. 

Mr. JcfTerfon now became the butt of flander, for 
the leading Fedcralifts, as the Head, and ring leader of 
thofe who were about to turn the world upfide down. 
Accordingly all the flanderous flood gates of the federal 
Prefles through tlie union, which by care were greatly 
muhiplied, pouuid in torrents upon him. He inftant- 
]y became a Deiftj an Infidel, it was found in his writ- 
ings which had been a long time extant, and which, no 
fcrutinizingeye could ever difcover before. 

They laid, that Jefferfon was an Infidel, and that 
he was in league with infidel France, and foon expected 
a French army to his afliftance. And to alarm and 
frighten the People, and to keep the public mind in 
agitation, many flories were with an air of furprife and 
ferioufnefs, put in circulation in confirmation of this. 



11 

Among them was " The Tailor plot." That, it was 
difcovered that the Tailors in Philadelphia, were mak. 
ing French military uniforms, for the jacobins in this 
Country, to join the French army, as foon as they 
fhould land. Another ftory in unifon with -this, pre- 
previoufly to the approaching Prcfidential Eleclion, was, 
that which is known by the "Tub plot" which was 
that the Packet containing the correfpondence between 
Mr. Jefferfon, and the Jacobins in France, failed from 
thence, at a certain time fpecified. It was difcribed, 
and faid, to be navigated by men of colour, and that 
the letters were contained between two bottoms of one 
tub. And what added an air of ferioufnefs and alarm 
to it, was, that our fea coaft from (jeorgia to Maine 
fliould be watched, and guarded if by any means we 
might avail ourfelves of the Packet and correfpondence. 
And anon, behold it was faid, that the packet was dif- 
covered, and feized, and the correfpondence between 
Mr. Jefferfon and the Jacobins in France, obtained. 
And now it was confidently publiflied in the federal 
papers, that Mr. Jefferfon will now certainly loofe his 
Head ! And here the farce ended ! It was con- 
fidently affirmed alfo in the federal Papers, that 
if Mr. Jefferfon Ihould be chofen Prefident, our 
houfes of public worQiip would be demolifhed, and 
our Bibles burnt. This calamity was dwelt upon, and 
painted in the mofl heart felt manner. It was faid, 
that he would commence a war with England, and 
that in confequence thereof, our feaports and habita- 
tions would be con fumed. That \^ Ihall be governed 
by the infidel and arbitrary powej* or the French nation. 
Now it was time to know who were for their 
country, and who for France. For this purpofe was 
invented the black cockade, which created fo much 
confufion and alienation among the people. This in- 
fignia was elevated, not only in every corner of the 
flreets, decoracing heads of all colours ; but in multi- 
plied inflances, it intruded itfclf into the facred Desk, 
that if by any means, it might obtain a little co7tfidera~ 



fWtiCCP 



tton and rcfpeEl. This Cockade affair was fet on fOor 
by a Bvitifli Emmiilliry, then an editor of a federal pa- 
per in Philatielphiaj who after his return ro England, 
was t}\.)iiG;ht to be worthy of aftatuc of j^old, by one 
of the Jiritifh parliament, for the fecret fervice he had 
rendered lO England in America. However, the peo- 
ple rofe in the '* Majefty of their ftrength," and Mr. 
Jcflcrfon was chofen Prefident ; notM ithftanding the 
llanderous tongue rhen moved with fuch zeal and rap- 
idity againfl him, that it hath fcarcely loft its vibration 
to this day. 

This Prefidential Election, was a heavy ftroke to 
leading Federal'ijts, It has convinced the people, that 
in lime of peace, without emharrafiment to trade ^ they 
can live without an enormous fyftem of internal taxa- 
tion. And that prifons, and fines are unneceflary to 
be reforted to, to prevent our citizens from fpeaking 
their minds upon public men and meafures, although 
it fhould have a tendency to bring the Prefidenc, or 
either houfe of Congrcls inio difrepute. 

Thus have we taken aview of federalifm,in its 
rife and progrcfs to its fall and lofs of power, by the 
fourih Prefidential Eleclion. But although Federalifm 
received this heavy and fevere check, we ftill feel its 
baneful confequences. To contemplate which brings 
us to the 

II. General head of this Difcourfe ; which is, 

To confider the evils refulting theretrom as mat- 
ter of lamentation. 

' As we have j^en notice of the rife and progrefs of 
federalifm, which ronftitutes the political diffcnfion in 
our land, in confidering its effe6ls, we fliall not be gov- 
erned by any comparative importance of them ; but as 
near as may be, by the order of their exiftence. 

The firft unhappy eifecl of Federalifm which v/c 
iliall take notice of, as matter of lamentation, is, its 
giving cxtention to that idle, and diflionefi fpirit of 
ipeculation in our land. This was commenced in buy- 
ing up the Soldiers* Notes, for lefs than three twentieths 



Id 



of their value. It was don>; by taking advantage of 
the foldiers* neceility, and the ftate ot our generalGov- 
ernment, at that time, not being in a fituation to pay 
them. And the uncertainty of their ever obtaining 
any thing for them, was flrongly infmuated. Care 
was taken that this fhould be done before the funding 
fyftem ihould tc ke place. For this purpofe the pay 
rolls of Companies, and even of Regiments were ob- 
tained ; and men were employed, furnifhed with mo- 
ney and horfes, who rode throufrh the Country to find 
the difperfed Soldiers, who held their fecuritie,-i, to pur- 
chafe them on the ealieft terms they could. The lirft 
Congrefs under our prefent Conftitution, taking the 
public debt into conlideration funded them at the full 
value of the face of the Notes. This was done through 
the influence of the leading Federalifls, notwithftand- 
ing all the propofitions the Republicans could make in 
oppofition. 

This overreaching conduct, was known and felt, 
through the Union. It was an improvement upon 
fpeculation, in the minds of the aged, and inflamed the 
youth for the prad:ice, when they faw what property 
was gained without labour. Hence in every part of 
the Union the practice of fpeculation fo much prevails. 

In our populous Towns and Cities, there arc idle 
fpeculators, who make it their bufinefs, to buy and fell, 
and get gain, in the mofl ufelefs manner to fociety. 

. The flock-holders of the Banks run upon each oth- 
er, decry their Bills, fo that they pafs at a certain dif- 
count, until they have obtained a^M^ntity of them to 
their fatisfaclion, then again give tWm their full cur- 
rency, and make the faving to themftlves. 

Thefe grofs and bare-faced inflances of fpeculation, 
have a tendency to break down all barriers to common 
honefty. Hence the incrcafe of diihonefty, defrauding 
and overreaching, iri private and individual dealings ; 
and confequentiy an augmentation of vexatious and 
expenfive law fuits. 

The next evil effect of federalifm, which will be 



14. 

90999M 

named, and is truly matter of lamentation, is, the 
great incrcafe of Infidelity. That, there is fuch an in- 
creafe is granted. The federal papers, not only ac- 
knowledge this, but with great zeal publifti it, and in 
fome inftances dcfignate perfons, as being Infidels, who 
ftand the higlieft for reputation, and have acquired, 
and poffefs the greatefc confidence, of any in the Na- 
tion. Let reafon determine whether declarations and 
publications, like thefe, have not a direct tendency to 
propagate Infidelity ? But this is not all ; great men 
and good men arc not always wife. Federalifm, witK 
its baneful influence, has been fufiered to enter the fa- 
cred Delk ; and to deal out federal flander in copious 
eftufions. This has had an unhappy effect on thou- 
fands ; when they haveylvw a zeal becoming Religion, 
converted to politics, and with fuch folemnity federal 
tales propagated, which the hearers were incapable of 
believing, or thinking, thtfpeaker him/elf believed them ! 
"What has more confounded the faith of many than 
this, and drove them to Infidelity ? When they were 
previoufly confirmed in the belief of important things 
to receive inftruflions, they are now chagrined, abafh- 
cd, and know not what to believe. 

Another evil of Federalifm, is, that it hath created 
difcord in focicty. Not only in the Union generally, 
and in the States particularly ; but it comes nearer the 
tender feelings of the human heart ; it enters Families, 
and feperates very Friends j the father is againft die fon, 
and the fon againft the father ; the mother againft the 
daughter, and thejhiughter againft the mother. 

Federalifm niaKes mere fceptics of fome perfons 
in politics. They hear fo much contradiclion, that 
they know not what to believe, and are not ready to 
believe any thing. They find that thefederalifts bold- 
ly and in a reiterated manner, deny the truth of the 
faireft, and moft properly authenticated public Docu- 
ments. And alfo they will publifti the fentiments of 
perfons, high in the eftimation of the People, fur Re- 
publicans, as being of their political opinion. This 



15 

confounds fomc, fuch bafenefs and deception they can- 
not conceive to be in the heart of man, depraved as it is 1 
Another diftrefling and malignant evil which the 
leading FederaHfts have fet an example for, and which 
calls for lamentation, is, flander and defaming individ- 
ual and moral charafters. How infmately apparent is 
federal flander, for fome reafon againft Mr. JefFerfon, 
and that while he fuftained the dignified office, of the 
Prefident oi i\\e U. S. ? Previoufly to this, the leading 
Fcderalifts, were abundant in expreffing their fenti- 
mentsupon the bafenefs and treafonable condud: of 
thofe who fhould fpeak againft the Prefident of the 
U. S. in a political point of view, without effecting his 
moral character. But when Mr. JefFerfon became Pre- 
fident, it altered the cafe, they forgot their maxims, 
they were capable of writing and publifhing the moft 
obfcene flander againft him, and reprefent him in his 

amours with perfons of colour, who 1 forbear, 

decency forbids proceedure ! Blulh ye Federal writers 
at your inconliftency ! at your obfcenity more ; or ac- 
knowledge, as your conduct will declare, that yo-uT faces 
are iron andjy*«r brows hrafs. If you federal writers, 
who pretend to more than an ordinary {hare of Piety, 
are capable of flander like this, and that againft the 
Chief Magiftrate of the Union; and Colleges join there- 
in, and the Pupils on the public ftage, as if they were 
fage ftatefmen, fhould fpeak againit public meafures^' 
and viUify public charaders, holding the moft impor-l 
tant offices in the Union, and the governments of our 
Univerlities countenance this, makyte fome of our 
Colleges to become fchools of flander and defamation ; 
is it any wonder that the common and more ignorant, 
not to Jay more vicious part of the community, fliould 
catch the contagion, fabricate and propogate the molt 
obfcene ftories of their neighbors, to the lafting grief of 
individuals, and to the diftruction of the peace and har- 
mony of fociety ? It is as truly for the political intereft 
of modern Federalifm, to corrupt the morals of the Peo- 
ple, to which their condudl admirably correfpo?ids, as it 



16 

was for the interefi: oi the Canaanites to coiTupt the 
morals of the Ifraclitcs. 'ihis will weaken the fenfe the 
People may feel of their moral obligation, to abide their 
national compa^l:, and facilitate the political feparation 
of the States, " Peaceably if they can, forcibly if they 
mull:." '1 hefe cffccls of Fed .ral fin, are truly Pricks in 
our eyes, blinding and deceiving the People, and lead- 
ing them in delufion. 

The next evil proceeding from the influence of 
leading Federalifts, as matter of lamentation, is, Injub- 
o'rdination to the Laws of the Land. 

While of late, rrutrril Nations experienced unjufl, 
and arbitrary reftriclions from the European belliger- 
ents, fo that "Sailing had now become dangerous.*' 
Our government impofed an Embargo. 

We now come to a circumftance of fo recent a 
date, that the reflections of our young men upon the 
fubjed, inflantly anticipate all juft obfervations which 
may be made upon it. Soon was there the greateft 

,; complaint of extreme poverty and diftrefs, in confe- 
i^M quence of the arbitrary meafu res of Congrefs. * The 

'Jm defign of which, the leading Federalifts faid, was to 
weaken and debilitate the northern States, that the 
fouthern might rule over them. They laid, that the 
I Law was unjuft and unconftitutional, and therefore 
ought to be difregarded. The General Court of this 
Commonwealth for the time being, did enkindle rath- 
er than quench the federal flame of murmur and dif- 
content. Whatever the real was, the oftenfive reafon 
why Congrels ifjpofed the Law, was kept out of fight, 
and was not fo much as named by them, and much 
lefs defcanted on, in their memorial to the members of 
Congrefs, from this Commonwealth, inftvucting their 
Senators, and requefting the Reprefentatives, to ufe 
their influence, that Congrefs might remove the em- 
barrafsments attending our trade, as if the Embargo 
were all the difiiculty, and the embarrafl'ments were 
folely at the will of Congrefs, and did not originate in 
foreign Courts. • This is maiiifeil from the Memorial 



itlelf, and the anfwer of a majority of our Congrefiion- 
al Reprefentatives to it, which are recommended to 
your perufal. 

This was preparing the way to Rebellion which 
the General Court was not ripe for, nor could be until 
they had report from their Committee appointed to 
confer with other ftates, which had the fame intereft 
and ends in view, which they had. 

But happily, for the Commonwealth, the next 
Governor and one branch of the General Court were 
Republicans, which perhaps faved that committee the 
labour of reporting. The painful fenfations of: the Em- 
bargo are ftill felt. Federalifts, fjch as they were, 
through the inftigation of their directors, could parade 
in the ftreet before the Governor's houfe in Bofton ; to 
requeft of him relief, under the preffures they felt, from 
the embarraffments of our trade, as if he controled the 
Councils of foreign Nations and the acls of Congrefs. 
This federal movement, had its influence in ftirring 
the People up to the refiftance of the laws ; when as 
the federal writers faid, they were famifliing with hun- 
ger, and at the fame time, to reprefent the diftrefs of 
the Embargo, in all its fliapes, they faid, the rich pro- 
duce of the Country, was perifhing in the barns of the 
Farmers, and in the llore houfes of the Merchants, for 
the want of a market. They faid that diftrefs and fa- 
mine had pervaded not only the humble cottages of 
the poor, but the fplendid edifices of the rich. 

Hereby were ftirred up the Silver Greys, in a 
neighboring town, to a menacing attitude* a- 
gainft the execution of the laws. How unlike the an- 
cient Silver Greys of Bennington ? This is modern 
Federalifm, in oppofition to the Whigs of 1777. The 
federal influence extended from Boilon to Newbury- 
porc, and thence to the north part of Vermont, and 
there flied the blood of two perlons, in the affair of 
the black fnake, a trading boat, fo called. And when 
did the abominable practice of duelling flourifli, with 
greater luxuriance, than fince the fpirit of modern fed- 



ci^lifm has prevailed ? And fomething more Turpn- 
fing ftill ! Has not the world witne0ed the fall of a 
blooming youth, on Bofton exchange at noon day,with 
only a walking cane in his hand ; uncxpecledly con- 
fronted by his antagonift, with a fatal weapon, which 
was with premeditation prepared ; which inftantly put 
a period to his life ? A jury upon the fpot confidered 
the acl to be wilful murder. On trial before an high- 
er Court, with a jury whofe foreman was a federalift, 
the innocent man-flayer was permitted to purfue his oc- 
cupation in pleading at the bar, in our courts of Ju- 
dicature ! ! 

The violations of our laws, iuftlgations to rebell- 
ion, faftions and tumults in fociety, murder, and the 
flieding of human blood, with all the poignant and 
lafting grief of the friends and connections of the de- 
ceafed, are the fruits and effecls of modern Federali/m, 

Another evil which we fliall take notice of, as be- 
ing the direct fruit of this Fcderalifm is, the invitation 
of the injuries and aggrelHons of a Foreign Nation to- 
wards this. The Government of England, ever fmce 
the Treaty of peace which terminated the conteft for 
our Independence, has treated us, as if fhe remembered 
that fhe once confidered us rebellious Colonies. 

She has habituated herfelf even to this day, to 
take from under our flag, our citizens, by force into 
perpetual flavery ; fhe has arbitrarily, and contrary to 
the laws of Nations, confifcated our properly, and ref- 
tricled our trade, fo as to gain a revenue from us ; 
file has wantonly murdered our fellow citizens, in our 
own waters ; fhe has made an unprovoked attack on 
one of our frigates, the Chefapeake, in which the lives 
of feveral perions were lofl, and others taken into ila- 
very. She has invited our fellow citizens to violate 
the laws of our land, in trading with her, without fea 
letters. She has, by her minifler, made an arrange- 
ment with us, in confequence of which, fhe received 
an abundance of our commodities ; then difavowed the 
minifler*.s authority, and witheld from us the condition 



of the ftipulatlon. And for no aggrefiion is fhe willing 
to make us any reparation. Yet the leading Federalijh 
have the confidence to fay that, " She hath done us no 
effential injury.*' This is a public invitation and en- 
couragement to England, to purfue her aggreflions. 
But for the Federaliils, in and out of our councils, we 
liave every reafon to believe, that the obftruclions to 
our trade would long before now have been removed. 
In the time of the Embargo, the Britifli Parliament by 
continuing the Orders in Council, were fondly looking 
for a rebellion in America, through the influence of 
leading Federalifts. And you, as well as I, my refpec- 
table hearers,, can judge how narrowly their hopes 
were difappo^nted. But if they had not been dif- 
appointed, I have not now time to make ob> 
fervations upon the probable benefit it would have 
been to this nation. We cannot hope for better times 
or lefs foreign aggrefiions, until federal influence is 
more narrowly circumfcribed. 

But one more evil, fhall I name, refulting from 
federalifm,and that is, the embarraffment of our na- 
tional councils. This cafts a gloom over the minds of 
our fellow citizens. Some are ready to imagine, then* 
duty is as difficult to be difcerned as their debates are 
prolix. This thought is incorrect. The Federalifts 
iu Congrefs, are willing to perplex our councils, and 
confume time, for the procraftination of a queftion, 
when they are a minority, and determined to be in 
the negative. As every one according to the rules of 
the houfe, have a right that their voice (hould be 
heard; their fpeeches are fpun out in a fine thread, to 
the point or not ; and when the queftion muft be call- 
ed, they have found themfelves capable of withdrawing 
from the Houfe, and the majority, fo as not to leave a 
quorum, conftitutionally to do bufinefs,and thus compel 
lefs than a quorum to adjourn. In this they are pricks 
in the eyes of the people Winding and deceiving them. 
The fubje<n: fuggefts thefe important Reflexions, 
I. The danger, moral and pohtical in certain iw- 
ftances of Mingling and having intercourfe with per- 



20 

fons of different and oppofite principles, in religion and 
politics. 

Minj;ling with the Heathen Nations, and having 
intcrcourfe with them, was the deftrudion of the 
Jewifli Nation. The heathen were corrupting. They 
demoraliled them, and brought them to relinquifh their 
free government for a rrjonarchy. So is that of an- 
cient Toryifm, or modern Federalifm. Thoufands of 
our Fellow Citizens, have their morals corrupted by 
them, in the manner we have contemplated. They 
will juftify their practices of falfehood, flander and de- 
famation. It was as impolitic for us as it was for the 
Jews with the Heathen, to mingle with them ; to give 
our Daughters to their Sons, or receive their Sons to 
our Daughters. A feparation muft and will take place, 
things will come to a crifis. There is a rooted enmity 
between modern Federalifm and Republicanifm. They 
are totally oppofite in principle. 1 hey can no more 
coalefce than the feet and toes of the Hieroglyphical 
Image of the Nations, which were a part of iron and a 
part of Potter's clay. 

A feparation muft come, and in the opinion of the 
fpeaker, who pretends to no fpirit of prophefy, neither 
party will die, *till it bleeds to death, 

2. We are taught from the fubjeA, the importance 
of inftrucling the rifing generation, in the principles of 
a republican form of Government, as truly, as in the 
principles of Religion. This muft be confidered of the 
fecond greateft importance. They ought not to be ig- 
norant of, but underftand, and deted: the deceptive 
wiles, which the enemies of Freedom will ufe to def- 
troy it. Let them underftand the Conftitution of the 
United States, and of this Commonwealth, together 
with Wafliington's valedictory Addrefs, and they will 
fee the hallow profefTions of patriotifm, in thofe who 
talk of the poflibility of the political feparation of the 
States. 

3d. In view of the moral and political fituation of 
our Country, it becomes us this day, to be clothed with 



21 

<Wt<M9 

deep humiliation before God, who direfts all events, 
in the Natural, Moral and Political Worlds. And en- 
quire why he isexercifing ns with pricks in our eyes, 
and thorns in our fides. Why He ftiould fend this po- 
litical divifion ; why he fhould fuffer modern Federal- 
ifm to arife, to blind the people, to diftrad our Coun- 
cils ; to join with and juftify thofe who make depreda- 
tions on us ; Murder our citizens, fteal our men, con- 
lifcate our property, violate their faith, and obftruA 
our trade? Why all this public flander and defama- 
tion, fpeaking evil of dignities, to the great corruption 
of the morals of our nation ? Why fo many of the an- 
gels of our churches, fhould join in it, and emit fmoke 
and darknefs from the golden candle flick, inflead of 
light ? Why our land fhould call for the atonement of 
innocent blood flied therein ? Why this bold and me- 
nacing attitude of fome, againfl the execution of our 
laws, which being perlifled in, mufl terminate in Blood, 
and their exterpation, or the deftruclion of our Gov- 
ernment, and the flavery^ of our whole Nation ? It is 
for our iniquities and the abufe of divine favors. God 
hath given us the greatefl liberty civil and religious of 
any Nation on earth. But what aflonifbing returns 
of ingratitude have we made. We have abufed our 
liberties to great licentioufnefs ; like Jefhurun of old, 
we have waxen fat, and kicked ; we have rebelled a- 
gainfl our God. 

While we have been indulged with all religious 
liberty, our Confciences not bound, nor our faith di- 
refted by the arbitrary laws of ignorant men. While 
we have had the liberty of choofing our own teachers 
of Religion and morality. While we have been indulg- 
ed with the liberty of worfhipping God according to the 
dictates of our ov/n confciences, and none to make us 
afraid ; we have greatly abufed all this indulgence ; 
negle<5ted the practice of religion, and religous inflitu- 
tions. Profaned the name and fabbath of the Lord, 
and generally have been difpofcd to walk in the way 
of our own hearts, and in the fight of our own eyes. 



22 

UOCHV 

God is angry with us, and fees that we are unworthy 
of thofc privileges, by our abufe of them ; and threat- 
ens us with calamities, internal commotions, refiftencc 
to our laws and with blood, for the innocent blood 
unatoned for, flicd in our land, if not with a total lofs 
of our liberties, civil and religious, by being fubjecled 
to the foreign power which once ruled over us. 

Let us therefore, this day, humble onrfelves be- 
fore God, as its duties require. And by fincere re- 
pentance, return unto him with refolutions fuitably 
to improve our liberties, his heavenly gifts, and attend 
to all his commandments. Let us be clothed in fack- 
eloth, that we may be found worthy, and obtain the 
divine favor j and God avert his judgments from us. 



AMEN. 






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